Does Marcos want to make peace with Dutertes? ‘Yes, I don’t like conflicts’
IN BETTER TIMES President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte engage in small talk during the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 in Baguio City on May 18. (File photo from MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is willing to make peace with the Dutertes.
He said this on Episode 1 of the BBM Podcast, which was uploaded on his social media accounts.
READ: Palace on Duterte’s arrest: Nothing personal
Journalist Anthony Taberna, the host, asked Marcos in the latter part of the program whether or not the chief executive was willing to reconcile with the Dutertes.
Marcos responded, “Yes. I don’t like conflicts. What I want is to get along with everyone.”
“It’s better… I already have a lot of enemies; I don’t need more. What I need are friends,” he added.
Seemingly caught off guard by the question, Marcos—laughing—noted that his main priorities are stability, peace, and to be able to do their jobs in government.
“That’s why I’m always open to things like that. I’m always open to any approach like, ‘Come on, let’s work together,” he noted.
“Even if we don’t agree on policy, even if we don’t get along, just do your job. But let’s not cause trouble anymore,” he emphasized.
“Let’s remove the chaos,” he said once more.
READ: Mayor Duterte curses Marcos over father’s arrest, detention in ICC
Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte ran under the UniTeam banner in the 2022 national elections.
But their political alliance was fractured and this became visible after Duterte resigned from her post as education secretary last year.
Speculation about their falling out was further fueled when the vice president said she had instructed someone to kill the president, his wife and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she would be assassinated.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte had also repeatedly accused Marcos of being addicted to illegal drugs.
He once said during a political sortie that by the age of 80, Marcos will probably be “no longer moving.”
Following her father’s arrest, Vice President Duterte also criticized the Marcos’ ability to lead and think clearly.
READ: Ex-President Duterte claims Marcos uses heroin
Meanwhile, during the 88th Araw ng Dabaw celebration in Davao City on March 18, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte cursed Marcos and criticized him for allegedly being ungrateful.
He claimed that while former President Duterte allowed Marcos Sr. to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Marcos Jr., in return, gave the green light for his father’s arrest./apl
